Norwich City 0-3 Liverpool: The Reds Mean Business!

The Reds score three at Carrow Road on the opening day of the 2021/22 season to silence early doubters.

The Premier League is back! With the European Championships taking up much of our summer entertainment, it seems like it has been an age since Liverpool wrapped up their 2020/21 campaign against Crystal Palace at Anfield in May. Similar to our title winning 2019/20 season opener, Liverpool faced newly promoted Norwich City on this seasons opening day - this time away from home at Carrow Road. 

Klopp's selection reflected what many thought the Liverpool team would look like with many players not yet at full fitness due to their pre-seasons being cut short due to their exploits at the Euros and still recovering from injuries picked up last season, with the likes of Thiago and captain Jordan Henderson missing from the first team. After 301 days without playing a competitive game, Virgil van Dijk returned to the starting line up along with Joel Matip, who also missed a hefty chunk of last season due to injury. There was no surprise at left back as Kostas Tsimikas started over the injured Andy Robertson, who injured his ankle against Atletic Bilbao in the penultimate game of preseason. All three of these players had solid games, particularly the self-proclaimed "Greek Scouser" Tsimikas who turned out to be an apt replacement for the Marauding Scotsman on the left flank, providing energy and a tasty cross or two into dangerous areas. Other than a couple of lapses of concentration in defense, Liverpool's deputy left back had a solid first Premier League start. As for Matip and van Dijk, it was as if the pair had not missed a day of football as they were as calm and collected as ever, with the pair of them having full preseasons to recuperate and recover and be fully sharp for the new season, as Klopp would not risk either player if they were not 100%. It meant that there was not a debut for new signing Ibrahima Konate, who will have to wait to play in Liverpool colours in a competitive match for the first time. 

The midfield also contained some returning faces, as Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain started the match alongside captain James Milner in the centre of the park. The two have had stop-start Liverpool career and need some stability and security in their fitness if they want to makes themselves regulars in the Liverpool squad, particularly Naby Keita who needs to step up and fill the void left by the departing Gini Wijnaldum should Klopp decide to not sign a replacement for the Dutchman. Keita was energetic in the midfield tonight and looked sharp when pressing and with the ball at his feet, and had an urge to drive the ball forward. However some of his passing was sloppy, something for the Guinean to improve on. The Ox looked sluggish at times and was hooked for Fabinho at the hour mark, it is clear the former Arsenal man still has a long was to go before reaching the highs of his debut season in Liverpool red. 

The front line consisted of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, and Diogo Jota, rather than the Brazilian Roberto Firmino, who spent longer in the Brazil camp at the Copa America than Jota did with Portugal at the Euros. All four of the players showed their quality in the game, with Mane being the only player to not get on the scoresheet, however the Senegalese international looked sharp, and seemed more willing to get on the ball and beat players for pace than he did at times last season, as he is eager to bounce back from what he himself has called the worst season of his career. Diogo Jota opened the scoring for Liverpool in the first half, justifying Klopp's decision to start him over Firmino. Not to be outdone, the Brazilian replaced Jota on 60 minutes and got a goal of his own to make it 2-0. Salah grabbed the third (a spectacular finish from the edge of the penalty area) as well as getting the two assists for the other goals. It's safe to say that all four players are raring to go for the new season and eager for goals to propel Liverpool high up the table. 

Liverpool have been criticised in the build up to the start of the Premier League season due to their apparent lack of squad depth, but Liverpool showed today that they don't have to play a full strength squad to get a very good result in the league. No matter who you consider Liverpool's strongest centre forward to be, both Jota and Firmino got on the scoresheet and played very well, and the midfield managed to do their jobs well enough to not allow Norwich to create many chances from midfield. Joel Matip won't be considered by many to be Liverpool's second best centre half, yet put in a fine display that ultimately ended up in a clean sheet, and Kostas Tsimikas put to rest any doubts that he can sufficiently replace Andy Robertson when necessary. The squad depth seems fine to me.

Overall, Liverpool outplayed Norwich and prevented them creating chances and defended well whilst also being fluid in attack and creating threats and overloads of their own. Liverpool are coming for the title this season, and are not to be underestimated in the race for it. We look forward to the return of the Premier League and a packed out stadium to Anfield next weekend against Burnley. 

Image credits: Premier League LIVE: Chelsea v Crystal Palace & Norwich v Liverpool score & updates - Live - BBC Sport